Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board, is on a visit to the United States of America.
On October 7, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade met with members of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in Washington. Participating in the meeting were: on the US side, Chairwoman Ms. Vicky Hartzler, Vice Chairman Mr. Asif Mahmood, and Commission members including Ms. Mariah Mercer, Mr. Mohammed Elsanousi, and other members; on the Azerbaijani side, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board; Ravan Hasanov, Executive Director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Center; Javanshir Pashazade, member of the Public Associations and Religious Institutions Committee of the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Robert Mobili, Chairman of the Albanian-Udi community in Azerbaijan; and Khazar Ibrahim, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to the USA.
Speaking at the meeting, Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade provided detailed information about the unique environment of interreligious cooperation and inter-denominational understanding existing in Azerbaijan, and the high level of state-religion relations. The CMB Chairman noted that the successful model of understanding between denominations in Azerbaijan was adopted as an example at the Inter-Muslim Dialogue Conference in Bahrain, and stressed that next year, Azerbaijan will host prestigious events dedicated to Inter-Muslim Dialogue and combating Islamophobia, co-organized by the Muslim Council of Elders and the UN Alliance of Civilizations.
USCIRF Chairwoman Ms. V. Hartzler regrettably noted that she was unable to meet with the Sheikh-ul-Islam during her visit to Azerbaijan this year due to his absence from the country, and expressed that she observed hospitality and development moving forward in Azerbaijan. Referring to the consistent conferences held to combat Islamophobia, Ms. V. Hartzler welcomed the holding of these forums, stating that it's important for them to yield real results. The Azerbaijani delegation responded to the Chairwoman's concerns, who voiced worry about alleged discrimination against some members of the Shia denomination in Azerbaijan, with precise, solid evidence. It was stated that the discussion concerned preventing a concrete threat against statehood, an attempted coup, and terrorism under the guise of religion, and that the denominational factor played no role here.
USCIRF Vice Chairman Mr. Asif Mahmood expressed some concerns regarding Azerbaijan's Law on Freedom of Religious Belief, touching on aspects of the law that may not align with international religious freedom standards, as well as the censorship of religious literature. Milli Majlis Deputy Javanshir Pashazade stated that as a young, independent state, "we are defending ourselves on the spiritual plane as well." He noted there are attempts to bring extremist and radical literature into the country under the name of religious literature, and a relevant commission reviews books to prevent this. He added that state-religion relations are at a high level in Azerbaijan, and the Milli Majlis's Public Associations and Religious Institutions Committee regularly meets with communities and resolves issues of concern to them.
USCIRF member Mr. Mohammed Elsanousi, in turn, spoke about his meetings at the CMB and the State Committee for Work with Religious Associations (SCWRA) while in Baku, touching on positive developments. He highlighted the issue of community registration as one of the concerning points, drawing attention to the fact that this process prevents communities from feeling free. Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade reiterated that the registration of religious communities is carried out by the state, with the religious center providing its recommendations when necessary. He specifically noted that the goal and purpose here is to distinguish true believers from those who portray themselves as religious but engage in activities against the state. Sheikh-ul-Islam A. Pashazade called on the Commission members to visit Azerbaijan once again, see the truth on the ground, and remove Azerbaijan from the special watch list. Ms. V. Hartzler said they would be pleased to receive the invitation.
Robert Mobili, Chairman of the Albanian-Udi community in Azerbaijan, for his part, brought to attention that as a Christian religious community in a secular country with a Muslim majority, "we feel great – the Azerbaijani state does not withhold its attention and care from us, and the Muslim people always support us. Our temples and language are being restored, and our holy book is being published in our mother tongue."
Ravan Hasanov, Executive Director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Center, speaking at the meeting, elaborated on Azerbaijan's concern about the rising instances of Islamophobia worldwide, and its interest in interreligious dialogue and protecting the rights of Muslim communities globally. He discussed the role the Baku International Multiculturalism Center plays in combating all forms and manifestations of religious discrimination—Islamophobia, antisemitism, and Christianophobia. He stated that the Baku International Multiculturalism Center, which he leads, is a unique institution in the world in this sphere.
The visit of Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board, to the United States of America continues.
Press Service of the Caucasus Muslims Board
